Italy's F2i ready to raise funds to buy into state railway's high-speed company (updated)
13/12/2024 10:11
(Adds details and background)
ROME, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Italy's F2i is ready to raise
funds to invest in the high-speed network company the
state-controlled railway group Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) will
soon set up, the chief executive of the infrastructure fund told
Reuters on Friday.
On Thursday, FS said it would spin off its high-speed
network into a dedicated company, paving the way for a stake
sale to outside investors.
"F2i is always ready to raise financial resources to develop
strategic infrastructure networks for the country. The rail
network is one of them," Renato Ravanelli said.
The fund also has a stake in Fibercop, the wholesale-only
telecoms network operator controlled by U.S.-based KKR KKR.N .
FS chief executive Stefano Donnarumma said he would discuss
with the government options to attract investors to the planned
spin-off company, over which the group would retain full
control.
The high-speed business is worth 8 billion euros ($8.40
billion), the company said.
FS' plan is consistent with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's
efforts to sell state assets to cut Italy's public debt, which
the Treasury expects to peak at almost 138% of gross domestic
product in 2026.
($1 = 0.9553 euros)
(Reporting by Elvira Pollina and Giuseppe Fonte, writing by
Giulia Segreti, editing by Alvise Armellini, Kirsten Donovan)
((Giulia.Segreti@tr.com; +39.06.80307714;))